Television receiver adjustable tilt suspension

ABSTRACT

The disclosure concerns apparatus for hanging heavy devices, such as television receivers, with provision for adjustable tilt, and enabling connection of the apparatus to the receiver frame structure away from an axis through the receiver center of gravity.

United States Patet Kenneth A. Busche 18728 Prairie St., Northridge, Calif. 91324 802,843

Feb. 27, 1969 Apr. 13, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented TELEVISION RECEIVER ADJUSTABLE TILT SUSPENSION 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 248/285, 248/299, 248/324 Int. Cl A47f 5/01, A47b 81/06 Field ofSearch 248/102,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,650,056 8/1953 Masoner 248/323 2,688,834 9/1954 Kaeser i 248/299X 2,689,909 9/1954 Dazley 248/299X 3,211,406 10/1965 Averett 248/299X 3,415,571 12/1968 l-leimert 248/201X Primary Examiner-Edward C. Allen Assistant ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney-White & Haefliger ABSTRACT: The disclosure concerns apparatus for hanging heavy devices, such as television receivers, with provision for adjustable tilt, and enabling connection of the apparatus to the receiver frame structure away from an axis through the receiver center of gravity.

TELEVISION RECEIVER ADJUSTABLE TILT SUSPENSION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to hanging support apparatus, and more specifically concerns apparatus for hanging devices (as for example television receivers) with provision for adjustable tilt.

In certain installations of television receivers there is need for adjustable tilting and swiveling of the receivers at elevated locations. Prior devices which attempt to meet this need have been less than satisfactory for reasons that include unsafe support of the heavy receivers where adjustable tilt is introduced. For example, yokes have been provided with arms having pivot connection to the receiver at opposite ends thereof. This requires location of the pivot connection to the receiver in alignment with a horizontal axis through its center of gravity; however, the receiver frame may not, and frequently does not, extend at that axis, so that the pivot connections must then be made to the cabinet panels. The latter are not designed to carry heavy loads, and consequently the yoke connection that is made to the cabinet is undesirably unsafe, introducing risk of failure and dropping of the receiver with posible human injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention to provide a solution to the above problem that will permit simultaneous adjustable tilt and safe hanging support of heavy bodies such as television receivers. It is another object to provide a television receiver support of simple construction that adjusts to the size of the receiver; that facilitates mounting to the frame structure of the receiver without extensive modification of the receiver; and the elimination of torque application to the vertical swivel supporting the receiver. Basically, the invention is embodied in apparatus that includes first and secondload-transmitting hanger means one of which is connectable to the heavy body or receiver to hang the latter with tilt controlled by the tilt of that one hanger means, the other hanger means supporting said one hanger means, selected hanger means defining an elongated arcuate way through which loading imposed by the heavy structure is transmitted; and the first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of the way for changing the degree of tilt of the one hanger means for controllably tilting the hanging structure. As will appear, the one hanger means may include a pair of hanger elements respectively rigidly connected to the heavy structure at spaced locations which need not be in alignment with a transverse axis through the center of gravity of that structure, but which may be so located as to be connectable with frame structure designed to carry loading imposed by the structure (or receiver). Accordingly, the hanging apparatus is also attractive and not bulky.

Typically, the one hanger means may advantageously comprise tubing defining the arcuate way and the other hanger means may then be connected to that way in such manner as to afford the desired tilt adjustment. For example, the tubing may have inverted U-shape, or the arcuate tubing may project and terminate in cantilever relation. As will be seen, the tubing may be approximately circular about a horizontal axis through the receivers center of gravity. Further, the other hanger means may comprise a crossarm having telescoping sections to accommodate hanger connection to different length receivers, the crossarm extending between arcuate tubing extents to receive loading imposed by the receiver. Finally, a vertical swivel may be provided to support the crossarm and resist angular deflection thereof while accommodating swiveling of the tilted receiver about a vertical axis.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully-understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing one preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing another form of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a section showing a connection facilitated by the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. l3, a load-imposing structure, as for example a television receiver, is shown at 10 suspended in elevated position, for viewing. As will be seen, the invention affords variable tilting of the receiver about a horizontal axis extending lengthwise of same, as well as variable swiveling of the receiver about a vertical axis 11, all without the problems referred to above.

The invention embraces what may be referred to as first and second load-transmitting hanger means, one of which is connectable to the receiver 10 to hang the latter with tilt controlled by the tilt of that one hanger means, the latter being supported by the other hanger means. In the example of FIGS. l-3, the referred to one hanger means may be considered to include the two like hanger elements 12 respectively connected to the receiver at spaced locations such as opposite ends of the receiver cabinet 13. Elements 12 may advantageously comprise metallic tubing having inverted U- shape as is clear from FIG. 1. The elements 12 are shown to have legs connected at 14 to the receiver 10 at locations determined by metallic frame structure 10a, inwardly of cabinet end walls 13a, the connections typically being spaced from the center of gravity 15 of the 'receiver. Further, the other hanger means may be considered to include, in FIGS. 1- -3, a crossarm 16 connected to and extending between the elements 12, above the receiver 10.

Further in accordance with the invention, selected hanger means define an elongated arcuate way through which loading imposed by the receiver 10 is transmitted, the first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of the way for changing the degree of tilt of the receiver. In the example, like arcuate ways are defined by arcuate extents 12b of the hanger elements 12, between which crossarm 16 extends, as illustrated; although, in general either of the first and second hanger means, or both, may define the arcuate way or ways. It will be noted that the arcuate ways defined by tubing extents 12b are downwardly concave and extend about (and preferably are approximately circular about) a horizontal axis 17 through the receiver center of gravity 15, as seen in FIG. 2. The construction is such that as the receiver is variably tilted, the center of gravity remains generally vertically below the vertical swivel 18 that supports the crossarm, so that minimum torque loading is applied to the swivel.

Crossarm 16 is shown to include horizontal sections 16a and 16b with telescoping interfit at 16c, accommodating connection of the hanger elements 12 to opposite ends of receivers of varying length. Each of the sections 16a and 16b has slip connection to the tubular way or track 12b of a hanger element, as for example is afforded by the supports 19 at the terminals of the tubular sections 16a and 16b and with slots 19a slidably receiving the ways. Such slots permit ease of removal of the television set, for maintenance purposes. Safety pins 30 may be used to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the tubing 12 from the slots.

Central support for the crossarm 16 is afforded by the tubular carrier 20 supporting the crossarm sections at 21, and bridging the telescoping interconnection 160. A vertical swivel pin 22 projects downwardly from a mounting plate 23 to support the carrier for swiveling about a vertical axis. Plate 23 has connection to super structure 25 to 26. Pin 22 may extend completely through the carrier 20, as for example to one side of sections 16a and 16b. Alternatively, the pivot pin may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the hanger structure is like that of FIGS. l3, excepting that the tubular way 12d terminates in cantilever relation; as shown. Also, the leg 12c integral with that way is connected to the rear of the television receiver, at 27.

lclaim:

1. In hanging support apparatus for a load-imposing structure;

a. first and second load transmitting hanger means one of which is connectable to said structure to hang said structure therefrom with tilt controlled by the tilt of said one hanger means, said one hanger means including a pair of hanger elements respectively connectable to said structure at spaced locations, said elements including tubing, the other hanger means supporting said one hanger means,

b. said tubing defining elongated arcuate ways through which loading imposed by said structure is transmitted,

c. said first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of said way for changing the degree of tilt of said one hanger means for controllably tilting said load-imposing structure, and

d. said other hanger means including a load-transmitting crossarm connected to and extending between said arcuate ways, said crossarm being lengthwise adjustable.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including said structure in the form of a television receiver having a cabinet, and a frame to which said one hanger means is rigidly connected.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubing has inverted Ushape.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubing projects and terminates in cantilever relation.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said other hanger means also includes a vertical swivel supporting said crossarm.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said crossarm has telescoping sections.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said arcuate ways are downwardly concave.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said crossarm defines slots into which said ways are downwardly receivable.

9. In combination with load-imposing structure in the form of a television receiver having a center of gravity, hanging support apparatus for said structure comprising:

a. first and second load-transmitting hanger means one of which is connected to said structure to hang said structure therefrom with tilt controlled by the tilt of said one hanger means, the other hanger means supporting said one hanger means,

b. selected hanger means defining an elongated arcuate way through which loading imposed by said structure is transmitted, said way being approximately circular about a horizontal axis through said center of gravity; and

c. said first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of said way for changing the degree of tilt of said one hanger means for controllably tilting said loadimposing structure.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said one hanger means includes a pair of hanger elements respectively connected to said structure at spaced locations.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said one hanger means includes tubing defining said arcuate way, said other hanger means being connected to said arcuate way. 

1. In hanging support apparatus for a load-imposing structure; a. first and second load-transmitting hanger means one of which is connectable to said structure to hang said structure therefrom with tilt controlled by the tilt of said one hanger means, said one hanger means including a pair of hanger elements respectively connectable to said structure at spaced locations, said elements including tubing, the other hanger means supporting said one hanger means, b. said tubing defining elongated arcuate ways through which loading imposed by said structure is transmitted, c. said first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of said way for changing the degree of tilt of said one hanger means for controllably tilting said load-imposing structure, and d. said other hanger means including a load-transmitting crossarm connected to and extending between said arcuate ways, said crossarm being lengthwise adjustable.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including said structure in the form of a television receiver having a cabinet, and a frame to which said one hanger means is rigidly connected.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubing has inverted U-shape.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubing projects and terminates in cantilever relation.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said other hanger means also includes a vertical swivel supporting said crossarm.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said crossarm has telescoping sections.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said arcuate ways are downwardly concave.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said crossarm defines slots into which said ways are downwardly receivable.
 9. In combination with load-imposing structure in the form of a television receiver having a center of gravity, hanging support apparatus for said structure comprising: a. first and second load-transmitting hanger means one of which is connected to said structure to hang said structure therefrom with tilt controlled by the tilt of said one hanger means, the other hanger means supporting said one hanger means, b. selected hanger means defining an elongated arcuate way through which loading imposed by said structure is transmitted, said way being approximately circular about a horizontal axis through said center of gravity; and c. said first and second hanger means being constrained to be relatively bodily shiftable lengthwise of said way for changing the degree of tilt of said one hanger means for controllably tilting said load-imposing structure.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said one hanger means includes a pair of hanger elEments respectively connected to said structure at spaced locations.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said one hanger means includes tubing defining said arcuate way, said other hanger means being connected to said arcuate way. 